A great work of art, if it accomplishes anything, serves to
remind us, or let us say to set us dreaming, of all that is fluid
and intangible. Which is to say, the universe. IT cannot be
understood; it can only be accepted or rejected. If accepted we
are revitalized, if rejected, we are diminished. . . . If we accept
ourselves as completely, the work of art, in fact the whole
world would die of malnutrition. . . . The art of dreaming when
wide awake will be in the power of everyman one day. Long
before that books will cease to exist, for when men are wide
awake and dreaming their power of communication (with one
another and with what moves them) will be so enhanced as to
make writing seem like the harsh and raucous squawks of an
idiot . . .
--Henry Miller, "Why Don't You Try To Write?" in Thomas H.
Moore, ed., Henry Miller on Writing (New York: New
Directions, 1964) p. 23.